What is the purpose of a laptop docking station? Do you use one with your laptop?

[Bumpskier]

My friend and I were at a used computer auction and I was going to pick up to relatively new laptop docking stations for $10 a piece. Then my friend and I got into an argument about what a docking station is used for. He said it was used mainly for security so that people could lock their laptops into the docking station when away. I told him it was to hook up a monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc so that you don't have to use the small features usually found in a notebook computer. If someone wanted to secure a notebook one could use a $20 locking device or lock.

So what is the purpose of a laptop docking station and can anyone here tell me how they use it to become more productive. Why use a docking station instead of directly attaching a big monitor to the back of the portable computer when needed, or attaching a mouse or keyboard when needed?

Bumpskier

 

[403Forbidden]

Both of you are right.

Many of the better docking stations serve both of those purposes

1.
Easier to take the laptop with you since everything is connected
to docking station, not directly connected to the laptop.

No wasted time screwing/unscrewing stuff etc.

Also, many docking stations have built-in NIC so that
frees up one on you PCMCIA slots on you laptop.


2.
The better docking stations have
key locks to secure the laptop inplace.

Of course, the docking station has to be locked
onto the desk as well or someone can just walk
away with the whole thing.